Social

Police have slammed messages circulating on social media. Police say social media posts alleging that a building in Pretoria is being used for human trafficking is "fake news".These posts appear to have surfaced on Twitter around 5 September. Several posts also include the #PutSouthAfricansFirst hashtag, which has been used to manipulate xenophobia-centered conversations.Police have slammed a flurry…

Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu. (@The_DSD, Twitter) Social development deputy minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu has taken to social media with claims that cancer causes gender-based violence.In a series of tweets, Bogopane-Zulu stated that cancer of the sexual organs may reduce sexual performance, and this could in turn lead to abuse.However, Sonke Gender Justice said linking…

SIU head Andy Mothibi in Parliament. (Jan Gerber/News24) The SIU says corrupt activities, with an intention to illegally benefit from the R500bn Covid-19 relief fund, are under investigation.To date, 20 cases of fraud and corruption have been reported. SIU says the majority of the investigations are at an advanced stage.  The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says…

Zweli Mkhize. (Jaco Marais) Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says now is the time for the public to work with government in reducing the spread of Covid-19. He says more people seem to be letting their guard down and not adhering to regulations. Poor or no social distancing is being seen in communities. South Africans seem to be…

When we say "same WhatsApp group" we normally mean people share a point of view. But occasionally – very occasionally – there really is a WhatsApp group quietly coordinating what people say on social media and what happens in the streets.In chapter 2 of "Battleground social media", we look at how remnants of the Zuma…